Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

If you have or know an Alexander, what is he most often called?

136 replies

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 06/09/2021 16:04

Help! One names on my list for DS is Alexander. But we already have an Alex in the extended family (I have a huge family so a lot of the classic or popular boys names are already used). It's not a close family member/someone we see regularly and I prefer the full name or Xan/Xand as a nn anyway.

BUT in your experience are Alexanders nearly always known as Alex?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Figgygal · 06/09/2021 16:54

Our Alexander is only ever called Alex

Kite22 · 06/09/2021 16:53

I knew one elderly Scottish chap who was known as Sandy.

I know one lad who would be about 20 (Scottish heritage) who is known as Alec

Every other one I've come across is known as Alex.

AbandonedCharacter · 06/09/2021 16:53

Wee Eck!

TeaSoakedDisasterMagnet · 06/09/2021 16:51

I know two. One Xander and one Alex.

Blueskyrainshowers · 06/09/2021 16:49

@IamnotwhouthinkIam

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far - very helpful ! Flowers

Right, so it's looking like if I want to avoid Alex I need to introduce him as "Xan" straightway, as Alexander will most likely get shortened (I'd also ideally prefer to avoid Xander as it reminds me of the Buffy character - although I realise once he's old enough he'll decide himself what he wants to be called and it'll be my tough luck!).

It's annoying as I really like Alexander/Xan but maybe this means it's just not the right name...

I think the Alexander/Xan combination would work. It would be very rude of people to shorten his name to something else if you've offered up a nn. I like Xan
GintyMcGinty · 06/09/2021 16:39

The area of Scotland I live in is filled with Alexanders of all ages whose names are shortened to Alex but it is always pronounced 'Alec'

Original poster
IamnotwhouthinkIam · 06/09/2021 16:38

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far - very helpful ! Flowers

Right, so it's looking like if I want to avoid Alex I need to introduce him as "Xan" straightway, as Alexander will most likely get shortened (I'd also ideally prefer to avoid Xander as it reminds me of the Buffy character - although I realise once he's old enough he'll decide himself what he wants to be called and it'll be my tough luck!).

It's annoying as I really like Alexander/Xan but maybe this means it's just not the right name...

OP posts:
Vbree · 06/09/2021 16:37

My son is called Alexander. We have always referred to him as Alex though.

Susannahmoody · 06/09/2021 16:37

I'm an Alexandra and people always call me Alex.

JaninaDuszejko · 06/09/2021 16:35

Mainly Alex but I also know : Sandy, Alec, Ally, and Xander.

JaninesEyePatch · 06/09/2021 16:34

Alex
Lex

CaptainCallisto · 06/09/2021 16:33

Alex (27)
Lex (11 & 15)
Xander (9)

There also used to be a Sandy who drank in the pub with my dad back in the day, who would be about 75 now.

Gustavo1 · 06/09/2021 16:32

Lovely name.
I know an Alexander (3)
Two who go by Alex (5,36)
And one Al (40)

DahliaMacNamara · 06/09/2021 16:29

Under 25 - Alex
40s/50s - Ally
Over 75 - Alec or Sandy.

cushioncovers · 06/09/2021 16:27

Alex

NoddingTulip · 06/09/2021 16:26

1x mid 30s Ally
2x early 20s Alex
1x early 20s Xander
1x early teen Alex but Alec to gps (who are Scottish)
1x 10yr old Xander
1× 2yr old Alex
1x 2yr old Sandy (1/2 Scottish)

Hekatestorch · 06/09/2021 16:25

I know 2. Both called Al or Alex. Both under 10.

If you want to establish his name a Xan or Xander. Tell people that's his name.

My Best friends daughter is known as Hattie. Her parents announced her name as Hattie. Her legal name is not Hattie. Can't even remember of its Harriet or not. I think it is. She is just Hattie.

If you announce his name as Alexander and don't add 'but we are using Xander' and then use Xander all the time, most people people will call him Alex.

Kids nicknames are generally, not made up by their parents. If he grows up as Xander any nicknames will come from that.

SheWoreYellow · 06/09/2021 16:25

They’re usually shortened to Alex, but if you want it to be Xander, then just call him that. You can put on school forms know as Xander/Zander.

FreezerBird · 06/09/2021 16:24

I really like Xand, or Xander, but actually all the Alexanders I know are Alex.

BruceAndNosh · 06/09/2021 16:24

Dad! Grin

(not helpful)

CandyFIosss · 06/09/2021 16:23

Alex

jackstini · 06/09/2021 16:20

Teenage one is Alex
One in 70s is Alec

Nuuktown · 06/09/2021 16:19

Alex x8

BrilliantBetty · 06/09/2021 16:18

Al or Alex

MargosKaftan · 06/09/2021 16:16

I know a couple of Alexander's who are known as Zander/Xander, but both were introduced to people as Zander.

(Bit like the only Elizabeth's known as Beth were introduced as Beth, if parents insist on Elizabeth, it gets shortened to Liz)